DOVER, New Hampshire (CNN) – On the first day of what his campaign called the “final stretch,” Barack Obama hammered at John McCain, and repeatedly linked him to President Bush’s policies.

“We can’t afford four more years of what George Bush and John McCain consider progress,” he said at a town hall not far from Portsmouth. “We can’t afford another President who is so out of touch that they think the economy is strong right now and promises to the exact same thing we’ve been doing for the last eight years.”

The Obama campaign seized on a comment from Thursday night’s forum in New York where McCain said it was “easy” for him to become “somewhat divorced from the day-to-day challenges people have” while in Washington.

“Maybe from where he and George Bush sit, maybe things do look fundamentally sound,” Obama said after repeating McCain’s quote and eliciting some groans from the audience. “Maybe they don’t see what’s taking place. Maybe they’re that out of touch. But I do see what’s going on and so do you.”

Even as Obama goes on the offensive against McCain in these final weeks, he has spent time defending his own campaign, reassuring voters that the recent “lipstick” story, spike in enthusiasm for the GOP ticket, and serious up-tick in negative ads does not mean his presidential effort is off-message or floundering.

At a New Hampshire town hall Friday, a man stood and asked Obama, “when and how” was he “going to start fighting back against attack ads and smear campaigns.”

“I know there are a lot of Democrats, and some Independents and some Republicans who really want change who start getting nervous because they’ve seen this movie before every four years. Right? You have ads that are being just fabricated, they’re just made up. And lies – that’s the word I was looking for,” said Obama.

“Here’s what I can guarantee you: that we are going to be hitting back hard – we have been hitting back hard but …I’m not going to start making up lies about John McCain … we’re going to make sure that anything that is out there that we are immediately responding to. But this election is too important, it’s too serious to be playing silly games.”

The Democratic nominee also pledged that families making less than $250,000 a year would not see any type of tax increase should he become president.

soundoff(554 Responses)

Independent for Obama

America deserves a President who will fight for us! Who will fight and expose the Republicans and John McCain for their lies and non-issues!
These fake controversies do not help, only hurt and distract our great nation!

Obama/Biden 08!

September 12, 2008 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |

DrMan

Wah, Wah, Wah. The Obamessiah is sad because they're picking on him. How pathetic. Face it, people are seeing him for what he is and are moving to the Republican side. Even the congressional races are being impacted. Where just a month ago the lefties were squawking about "owning" the House, Senate, and White House, at the rate they're going they may wind up with none of them. Love how the MSM is trying desperately to get this back to Obama by trash talking Governor Palin. Give it up lefty journalists, it's too late.

September 12, 2008 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |

Robert

Obama fight with truth and we all know truth is on your side. OBAMA 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! mcdrill/palin are liars and they are liras for talking about change the only change America will see is change of faces in the office which is not going to happen this time. NO WAY NO HOW NO MCDRILL ::::))))))

September 12, 2008 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |

Jann, Denver CO

McShame is divorced from the day to day workings of the American People. McCain is a fool and I hope Obama makes a commercial out of this one.

September 12, 2008 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |

Billy

What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull?

A pitbull gets vetted!

September 12, 2008 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |

Check out the View

Check out the view, Barbara Walters asked questions of McCain all the country is trying to ask Palin and he got so frustrated. I was looking for a stroke! Best interview I've seen of McCain in this campaign.

We need the media to get involved and ask the tough question. Who cares of your Republicans think they to harsh on Palin or McCain. This avoid the media won't work!! And how could you vote for a candidate if your only heard her give a speech she didn't write, 30 times?

September 12, 2008 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |

Concerned INDEPENDENT CT voter

Not a lot of comments because it's been up here for like 20min & I'm sure these moderators are SWAMPED!!!

It's all true & needs to stay up here until Monday!

-V

September 12, 2008 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |

CR in WI

America find the facts, the truth will win out. This is not American idol, this is the future of our country.
Obama has introduced more legislation than John McCain in the 109th and 110th congress. (It's not even close, data available at the library of congress website) A review of this legislation from both men will show you where there hearts are and what really matters to them.
No more lies and distortion from the candidates
and to us, No more falling for it hook line and sinker. It's to importatnt to just accept what they say, do a little homework. . .
Obama '08-'12

September 12, 2008 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |

Shari, NY

We know that Sen. Obama, but the truth will set you free.

September 12, 2008 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |

Ken in Dallas

McCain claims abolishing earmarks will make a difference in the federal budget. That's a lie.

McCain says making corporations pay taxes is bad for the economy. That's a lie.

McCain claims the economy is in better shape than it was eight years ago. That's a lie.

McCain cuts and runs whenever confronted with a substantive issue. That's no hero.

About the only things McCain says that you can bank on are that he wants to go to war with more people than we're already fighting.

McCain doesn't want to change much, and the change he does want isn't progress.

Enough about McCain. Time to forget him.

September 12, 2008 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |

Dill

The Republican ads are very nasty, everyone I have spoken with agrees this makes the Republicans look desperate and grasping at straws to try and win. The Sarah palin interview was another disaster.If Mr. McCain cannot finish his term for whatever reason, Mrs. Palin as President seems truly scary to me, this has nothing to do with the fact that she is a woman. She is probably nice enough but doesn't seem very Presidential . I am insulted because it looks as though she was picked for political reasons, not because she is qualified. If you love the country, you would choose someone very capable of taking over regardless of gender, not just to get votes from women. We are not stupid in America, we can see beyond the fluff.

September 12, 2008 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |

bill

we all know these republican ads are false what about bushes economy lipstic on pig give me a break cnn if you people had one ounce of decency in you would call it for what it is A LIE AND THIS CRAP WOULD BE DONE GUESS TRUTH DONT MAKE NEWS IF YOUR WITH RIGHT WINGERS

September 12, 2008 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |

malcolm x

fabrications, lies? duuuh! do obama realize who he's running against? do he realize Karl Rove has taken over in the Mccain camp? you know who karl rove is dont you? karl rove is the man who scandalized mccain shamelessly in the 2000 campain, infering that he had a "BLACK-MISTRESS" because he adopted a darkskin'd child! this is your republican party! i hope america is proud of them.

September 12, 2008 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |

Jim

I can't believe the news media lets them get away with LIES, IN A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, IN THIS CENTURY!

September 12, 2008 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |

Anonymous

Obama, after all, is not really from Chicago or even from Illinois, is he? If he were, wouldn't he be more apt to do it "the Chicago way."
"They bring a knife, we bring a shotgun. They break one leg, we put two in the morgue...THAT'S THE CHICAGO WAY"

September 12, 2008 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |

Jude Fort Lauderdale, Fl

back to Palin...from Governor to VP, God forbid president, and she doesn't need to consult with her family... that is one exceptional hockey mom... its cool she can handle it, its not like she's running for "President"... its just VP, all you have to do is stand there and look pretty, uh like Vanna White. Whats over a million lives and lots of major decision making, hanging over your shoulders, its nothing an Alaskan hockey mom can't handle.

"The Vice Presidency is sort of like the last cookie on the plate. Everybody insists he won't take it, but somebody always does." Bill Vaughn

September 12, 2008 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |

Al

Fight their attack Obama they are two phonies
I watched her interview and she seemed to me like she bluffed her way through it with very scarry answers
too bad the media is not scrutinizing her speech like they scrutinized Obama for the last 16 months or so
She is so painfully inexperienced its pathetic!!!!
What american in their right mind would want this woman a heart beat away from the presidency with McCains tenuous health!!!!!
If you want change for your country and economy is #1 on your list DO NOT vote for these *2* war mongers

September 12, 2008 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |

Morgan

And the media keeps letting McCain slide with his outright falsehoods. So far the only news person with balls is Barbara Walters. Way to go "View."

September 12, 2008 04:57 pm at 4:57 pm |

Esmeralda

I am so tired of hearing the comments by Republican commentators comparing Senator Obama and Governor Palin's level of experience.

I am a Obama supporter. Not because he is black, not because he is a great speaker. And quite frankly not because he is a politician of great experience.

I believe in Senator Obama because of what he has proven to me over the last 18 months.

Because of the stance he has and continues to express on every aspect of the issues both inside our borders and abroad. He has been grilled in the press, on the stage during debates, and he has had to express in detail what his beliefs are. Just like he should as a person running for the office of President. As far as I am concerned – through the vetting process of the last 18 months, I have come to believe he may not have 27 years in the Senate – but he does have the knowledge and judgement that I believe is needed at this time. Not least do I believe that his selection of VP was a choice of great consideration, keeping the interest of America and her children first and foremost at heart.

As for McCain. He is a man of greatest experience. But I do not agree with him on many many issues – many more now a days than say 3 years ago when I even campaigned for him.

As for Palin. I know very very little about her – I know of some decisions she has made that I do not agree with. But really, I wish since there is not much time left she would put it all out there in the most rigorous fashion. She needs to vetted like any other person running in this race. Especially considering her level of experience – exactly like Obama has had to prove to us who he is, his caliber and what he stands for.

September 12, 2008 04:57 pm at 4:57 pm |

AMERICANS ARE OUTRAGED BY THIS FRAUD - PALIN PUPPET

McSHAME FOR STUPIDITY & PALIN – CLUELESS BROAD!!!!!

September 12, 2008 04:57 pm at 4:57 pm |

Janet, American Up North

President Obama and Vice President Biden!

Let move forward and out of eights years of Disastrous Republican B.S.!

September 12, 2008 04:57 pm at 4:57 pm |

Ron

Bottom line: If you are happy with the economy, which includes gas prices and the mortgage issues, vote McCain because the republicans will keep the status quo.

If you are not happy with the economy, vote Obama and give the democrats a chance to improve things.

It doesnt get any simpler than that.

September 12, 2008 04:57 pm at 4:57 pm |

keepitreal50

Dlh – Call DHL and have your comment shipped to the republican party. Everyone makes mistakes. But if you believe that is reason to vote for McCain and put our country in worse shape then, see ya bye.

September 12, 2008 04:57 pm at 4:57 pm |

linad

Sorry kid there's only one GW Bush and nobody's buying the argument that McCain is Bush except for democrats who weren't going to vote for McCain anyway. In fact many people see Obama more like Bush than McCain. Just same old finger pointing old style negative attacks politics as usually from Obama. I thought Barack Obama was suppose to be a new kind of politics. So far, not much change.

September 12, 2008 04:57 pm at 4:57 pm |

Al - NYC

This is a democratic year and I fully expected that no republican would win the white house in Nov ... however Gov. Palin has made it a little interesting if just for a little while... Hey, at least i can honestly say that i have really enjoyed watching all you Obama supporters in a sort of panic mode lately... although i still fully expect that you guys will win in november, i can thank Sarah for keeping you up a few nights... and yes a little part of me is still hoping ... later dudes.